2010-2011
AMERICAN CULTURES – 5.0
Ms. Wilus
AMERICAN CULTURES RESEARCH PAPER
I. Objectives of the American Cultures Research Paper:
A. All students in American Cultures are required to complete a research paper. The
research project has two primary objectives. The first is to allow the individual the
opportunity to explore a topic of American History that interests them. The second
objective is to allow the individual to work with the processes of standardized research
paper methodology.
II. Basic Research Paper Requirements:
A. The research paper must be written on a teacher approved subject in American
Cultures between the years 1914 and 2002. The student may not change the assigned
topic after the research proposal has been submitted and accepted.
B. The research paper requirements for text formatting:
 A minimum of 3-4 pages
 Typed in 12 font (Times New Roman)
 Double Spaced
 One inch Margins on all sides
C. The research paper requirements for style and documentation:
 Use a properly formatted header on page one
 Use a minimum of 4 sources…(You cannot use your TEXTBOOK)
-One of the four must be primary
-A minimum of one “academic” book. The book used would not include
specific reference encyclopedias. For each specific reference encyclopedia
used increase the minimum number of sources by one.
 Complete MLA documentation
 Parenthetical documentation must be included within the paper and
at least three direct quotations with analysis
 A properly formatted works cited page
 Underline the thesis
 Identify your primary source(s) with a * on the work cited page
 Print your internet sources
 All papers MUST be submitted through www.turnitin.com
D. PLAGIARISM WARNING: The North Penn School District plagiarism policy will
be strictly enforced. In the event that the originality of your paper is challenged the
following process will be followed and the "burden of proof" will rest with the student.
1) All sources will be presented to the teacher within a reasonable number of days.
2) An appointment with the teacher will be scheduled to review where the ideas for
your writing came from. It is the responsibility of the student to show where the
information came from. Sources taken from other libraries and the Internet are subject
to the same procedure. See Section VI & VII for more information on
plagiarism.
E. The American Cultures research paper will be worth 200 points and is a
course requirement for passing the marking period in which the paper is
evaluated.
F. Due dates: ***All assignments must be handed in, half credit will be given
for missed assignments up to the final paper due date. It will be difficult
to move onto the next step without completion of the previous one.
 Three topic ideas (10pts):
_________
 Research web (10pts):
_________
 Working Bibliography (10 pts):
_________
 Research proposal (20 pts):
_________
 Outline of contents (15pts):
_________
 Rough Draft (20pts):
_________
 Final draft (200pts):
_________
 The paper is due even if you are absent – NO EXCUSES
G. The student will have a minimum of four weeks to prepare the assignment. If the
paper is late one letter grade per day will be deducted for the first four days. After four
days the paper will be given a zero and the student will fail the marking period in which
the paper was evaluated.
III. Research Methodology:
A. A recommended research procedure for your paper...
1. Select one primary topic of interest and two alternate topics.
The student should be prepared to work with any of the three topic
areas selected.
(Ex: American World War I, World War II,
Progressivism.) Narrow the general topic into a specific topic. (Ex.
World War I.... Reasons for American involvement). Develop a
question that guides your research. (Ex. Why did America become
involved in World War I?)
2. Use an encyclopedia or other quick reference to gain basic
understanding of the topic. While reading pay attention to people,
events and terms that might help you extend your formal research.
 General reference, on-line and electronic (CD ROM) encyclopedias
may not in any way be used in your paper.
3. Find material on your topic from several sources and complete
the working bibliography. Begin sifting through the material for a
deeper understanding of the topic. Remember that one of your sources
must be a primary one.
 PRIMARY SOURCES are sources that have not been analyzed
or interpreted. (See section V)
4. Develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that predicts the
relationship between two or more variables. Most importantly the
hypothesis is a statement that can be proven by the data available. It is a
tentative answer about your subject. The hypothesis is very important as
a departure point for your investigations, (Ex. World War I was fought by
America to protect the interest of big business in America). Review the
sample thesis statements provided for you in this packet. (See section
VIII.)
5. Develop analytical questions. Formulate questions that you want
your research to answer. Formulating these questions prior to intensive
investigation saves considerable time and gives direction to your research.
Find materials to answer the questions.
6. Evaluating sources. The researcher must try and remain objective in
his research. Avoid materials or sections of material with unfounded
generalizations, bias, prejudice, slanted viewpoints, vested interests, etc.
Good sources are able to stand the tests of critical examination and time.
NOTE: It is your obligation to prove your thesis through a variety
of sources and blend these sources within the paper.
7. Accept, reject or modify the thesis. Your research and answers to
analytical questions should result in conclusions from factual evidence,
which result in your acceptance, rejection, or modification of your
thesis.
IV. The Four Parts of the Research Paper...
A. The Introduction
1. The purpose of the introduction is to provide the basic background
information necessary to understand your topic. The introduction should
always be short and avoid unnecessary detail.
2. The last sentence of the introduction should be the thesis statement.
The thesis statement should be underlined in the paper. Review the
sample thesis statement provided for you in this packet. (See section
VIII.).
B. The Main Body (It is not a 5 paragraph essay!)
1. The purpose of the main body is to prove what you have stated in the
thesis. The main body is written from the evidence gathered in your
sources. The evidence gathered should be presented through a variety of
sources and these sources should be blended together to prove the thesis.
2. The main body is written in third person and does not include your
opinion. The thesis is supported and proved through the sources that you
have selected. Also keep in mind that you will be evaluated on the quality
of sources that you select for your paper.
3. Every concept, idea and statistic must be documented in every
part of the paper. We will discuss this further in class.
C. The Conclusion
The purpose of the conclusion in a research paper is to restate the thesis
and briefly summarize the evidence presented. The conclusion is short
and to the point. The thesis can be reworded or directly restated as it
was in the introduction.
D. Work Cited Page
Use the North Penn English Guide or the Modern Language Arts (MLA)
book in the IMC. This paper requires that four sources be used and cited
in the paper and that one of those sources is a primary source. The
work cited page lists only the books that were used in the paper.
Consider this advice:
SPELL CHECKER BLUE IT!
I have a spelling checker,
It came with my PC;
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I cannot sea.
I’ve run this poem threw it,
I’m sure your please to no,
Its letter perfect in it’s weigh.
My checker tolled me sew.
V. A Guide to Determining Primary Sources
A. Primary sources have not been subjected to analysis or
interpretation.
B. Primary sources pertain to fundamental ideas, truths and beliefs.
C. Possible primary sources...
1. The text of important documents (Ex: The U.S. Constitution)
2. Speeches
3. Editorials
4. News articles from past time periods
5. Letters or communications between important people involved
in the topic
6. Videotapes of actual events - Audiotapes of actual voices
7. Scriptures and sacred books related to the faiths
8. Codes of law
9. Maps
10. Photographs and Paintings
D. Primary sources available in the North Penn IMC...
1. Annals of America
2. Vital Speeches
3. Representative American Speeches
4. Statistical Abstract of the United States-online
5. Great Events - Microfiche from the New York Times
6. Check IMC Webpage on Primary Sources
7. www.npenn.org
 Classroom resources
 Research tools
VI. Plagiarism
A. The North Penn School District defines plagiarism as the act of using another
person's ideas or writings and submitting them as one's own work. The North
Penn School District endorses the National Council of English statement below.
Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is a serious offense and
is punishable by law. Before submitting any manuscript, a
student should consider the following:
All or part of a manuscript which has been copied, word for word
or with changes here and there, from another writer's work
without giving specific credit to that other write through the use
of quoatation marks and works cited is plagiarized.
In the North Penn Junior and Senior High Schools, the penalty for plagiarizing is
a zero for the assignment. Any student who willingly provides material to be
plagiarized will also receive a zero for that material. Furthermore, in both
instances the students may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by an
administrator. Students must adhere to the highest standards of ethics in all
subject areas.
See the next section:
Plagiarism:What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It
VII. How to avoid plagiarism…
VIII. Sample thesis statements....

The formation of the Committee for Industrial Organization (C.I.O.) in 1935 successfully
fought to increase the bargaining power of workers in mass production industries, expanded
workers’ rights and broadened the basis of social democracy in the United States.

Upton Sinclair’s novel about labor exploitation and unsanitary conditions in the meat
packing industry shocked the American public, expedited government reform and made the
food supply safer for all Americans.

Immigration legislation in 1921 created a quota system that unfairly favored the nations of
northern Europe and Western Europe, exemplified the existence of xenophobia in American
society and put an end to the idea of the United States as a melting pot.

The United Nations was created to preserve international peace by means of multicultural
diplomacy, address the need for humanitarian aid to economically challenged nations and
use collective military action against any state committing an act of aggression.

President Roosevelt’s New Deal policy uplifted millions of Americans from poverty, changed
the role of American government in the everyday lives of people and guided a desperate
nation through a difficult period.

The stock market crash of 1929 was the result of unrealistic optimism by the common
investor, unethical investment practices by the economic elite and a lack of government
regulation.

John Muir’s leadership in the conservation movement helped slow the exploitation of natural
resources, encouraged the government to pass conservation laws, and created a permanent
awareness about the environment.

The impractical social experiment known as Prohibition increased, rather than decreased
alcohol consumption, fostered attitudes of disrespect for the law and led to the rapid
growth of organized crime in America.

Since its inception the Internet has had a profound impact on commerce, society
and communication.

The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) at the Battle of Belleau Wood proved their
effectiveness by breaking through the German trench lines, forcing the Germans to
pursue a defensive strategy and providing new hope for the tired Allied campaign.

The publicity surrounding the Triangle Fire tragedy, exposed dangerous working
conditions, abusive management practices and made clear the need for labor reform
in America.
IX. Parenthetical Documentation
MLA format requires that the writer acknowledge sources with parenthetical
documentation citations within the text of your paper. All information provided in this
paper must identify the source and exactly where in the source the information came
from. If the information is paraphrased it must be documented. If the information is a
direct quote it must be documented. The citations within the text must be listed on the
works cited page.
In most cases the author’s last name and page number(s) at the end of a section of text are adequate.
Example… The main goal of President Taft's foreign policy in Asia and Latin America was to promote
stability through economic investment (Gray 331).
The above citation tells us that this paraphrased idea can be found on page 331, in a book written by an
author named Gary. This citation will correlate with the alphabetical list of sources on your works cited
page.
Parenthetical Documentation: Questions, Answers and Examples
Q: What if a paragraph contains paraphrased material from one author?
A: Same as above, but document your writing at the end of the paragraph.
Example… (Jasper 532-542).
Q: What if one of the ideas of one sentence comes from two different parts of the same book?
A: Document using the author and the page number(s) at the end of the sentence.
Example… (Jasper 6-8, 171).
Q: What if each sentence in the paragraph contains paraphrased and quoted material from several
authors?
A: The writer must document each sentence and quote within the paragraph.
Q: Where do I place the documentation for a quote?
A: Always document immediately after the quote. If the author was mentioned in the text of the paper
you need only list the page number(s).
Example… President Richard Nixon "abused the power of his office with his attempts to cover up the
Watergate scandal" (Berford 109).
Example… In Thomas Berford's analysis of Watergate, he claims that President Nixon, "abused the
power of his office with his attempts to cover up the Watergate Scandal" (109).
Q: What if the same source is used several times in a row?
A: The first time the source is used list the author and page number(s). Additional references to the
same source need only list the page number(s).
Q: What if one sentence has combined the ideas of two different authors?
A: Use one set of parentheses and separate the authors and page numbers with semicolons.
Example… The main goal of President Truman's Cold War policy was to stop the spread of communism
and maintain international peace (Gray 331; Fitzgerald 980-981).
Q: What if my works cited page has two authors with the same last name?
A: When documenting include each authors first initial.
Example… Document the first author (D. Gray 331-332) and document the second author
(F. Gray 7). If the authors have the same first name letter write the first names out.
Q: What if the source has two or three authors?
A: At the end of the passage list all the authors and the page number(s).
Example… Two authors (Smith, Jones 21). or Three authors (Clancy, Biggins and Little 231-235).
Q: What if the source has more than three authors?
A: At the end of the passage list the first author last name followed by et al. And the page number(s).
Example… (Shocky et al. 117-121).
Q: What if I am using two works by the same author?
A: List the author and title (underlined) listed on the works cited page followed by the page number(s).
Example… (Kibbles, Into the Next Century 200-205).
(Kibbles, Communism and Third World Countries 47-49).
Q: What if the source is part of a multi-volume work?
A: List the author, volume number and page number(s). Separate the volume and page number(s) with
a colon followed by a space.
Example… (Chezey IV: 11-14).
Q: How do I document sources from the internet?
A: Whenever possible list the author and page number(s).
If the work does not have an author list the
entire Internet address.
Q: What if the source does not have an author?
A: Use the title as it appears on the work cited page.
Example… (The Age of Imperialism 7).
Q: When can a page number(s) be omitted?
A: If you are referring to a complete work
If you are referring to works arranged alphabetically (encyclopedias)
If the work does not have page numbers listed
Whenever possible try to use the original source in your paper. If it is not possible to use the original
source, document the indirect source using the following format.
Q: What is an indirect source?
A: An indirect source is when the author of a book quotes another person and you use that quote in your
paper.
Example… William Jones writes a book and quotes part of a speech made by John F. Kennedy.
Q: How do I document an indirect source?
A: Document at the end of the quote. Abbreviate the word quote - qtd. and document (qtd. in Jones 470).
X. The Work Cited Page
Use the items below as a checklist…
 All sources used in your paper must be included in your works cited page.
 The works cited page is a separate page.
 Put a page number on the works cited page (example Page 4)
 Title the work-cited page: Works Cited
 The title is centered and is one-inch from the top of the page.
 Alphabetize the entries by the author's last name. If the author is unknown,
list by the first word in the title other than A, An or The.
 The first line of each entry is aligned with the left margin. If the entry is
more than one line indent five spaces from the left margin for each new line.
 Double space the entire work cited page.
 When information taken from a given source is limited, include the range of
pages the information was taken from.
 Identify your primary sources by placing an * as the first character in your
entry. This is a request made by me and not part of MLA format.
Book: Single author…
Basic format: Author's name. Title of the book. Publication information.
Example:
Aberathy, William. Space: An Odyssey Through Parallel Universes. New York:
Oxford Up, 1996.
Book: Two or more authors…
Basic format: Author's name. Title of the book. Publication information.
List the authors the same way that they appear on the title page. List the first author by last name first
and first name last.
Example:
Marquart, James W., Sheldon Ekland Olsen, and Jonathan R. Sorenson. The
Rope, the Chair, and the Needle: Capital Punishment in Texas, 1923-1990.
Austin: U of Texas P, 1994.
Book: Two or more books in your list by the same author…
Basic format: Author's name. Title of the book. Publication information.
Additional works by the same author should delete the authors name and use three hyphens (- - -). The
additional works are listed alphabetical by title.
Example:
Abernathy, William. The Exploration of Space Through the Telescope. New
York: Oxford Up, 1996.
- - -. Space: An Odyssey Through Parallel Universes. New York: Oxford Up,
1996.
- - -. Space Travel in the Next Decade. Boston: Greenwood, 1998
An Article in a Newspaper…
Example:
Manning, Anita. "Curriculum Battles from Left and Right." USA Today 2
March. 1994: 5D
An Article in a Newspaper, anonymous author…
Example:
"Palestinian Students Riot in Bethlehem." New York Times. 30 Oct 1948: A3
Government Publications…
Example:
United States. Cong. Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor
Attack. Hearings. 79th Cong., 1st and 2nd sess. 32 vols. Washington: GPO, 1946.
A Magazine Article…
Example:
Bazell, Robert. "Science and Society: Growth Industry." New Republic 15 Mar.
1993: 13-14.
A Magazine Article: Anonymous author…
Example:
"Portents for Future Learning." Time. 21 Sept. 1981: 64-65.
An Article in A Reference Book…
Example:
Brakeley, Theresa C. "Mourning Songs." Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary
of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. Ed. Maria Leach and Jerome Fried. 2
vols. New York: Crowell, 1950.
Microfiche…
Basic format: Treat as the original source prior to being put on microfiche and add the microfiche
information to the end of the entry.
Example:
Bazell, Robert. "Science and Society: Growth Industry." New Republic 15 Mar.
1993: 13-14: fiche 1, grids A8-11
A Pamphlet…
Basic format: Treat a pamphlet as a book.
Example:
Career as an Aerospace-Aircraft Engineer. Chicago: Inst. For Research, 1978.
An Editorial…
Example:
Evans, Harold. "Free Speech and Free Air." Editorial. U.S. News and World
Report. 11 May 1987: 82.
A Television Program…
Example:
The First Americans. Narr. Hugh Downs. Writ and prod. Craig Fisher. NBC News
Special. KNBC, Los Angeles. 21 Mar. 1968
A Recording…
Example:
Ellington, Duke, cond. Duke Ellington Orch. First Carnegie Hall Concert. Rec. 23
Jan 1943. Prestige, P-34004, 1977
A Film…
Example:
Special Effects. Videocassette. Writ. And prod. Charles Halpern. Dir. Charles
Rudnick. U of California Extension Media Center, 1985
An Interview…
Example:
Pei, I.M. Personal interview. 27 July 1983.
A Lecture…
Example:
Ciardi, John. Address. Opening General Sess. NCTE Convention. Washington,
19 Nov. 1982.
World Wide Web…
Basic format: Author. Title of item. [online] Available http://address/filename, date of document or
download.
Example:
DiStefano, Vince. Guidelines for better writing. [Online] Available
http://www.usa.net/~vinced/home/better-writing.html, January 9, 1996.
XI. Sample Page One Header
Timothy Krimel
Ms. Wilus, p. 1
American Cultures 11, 5.0
1 Febuary 2010
(Skip one line and center the title)
The 1929 Stock Market Crash
(Skip one line between the title and the first paragraph)
(Indent the first paragraph five spaces and start the introduction)
AMERICAN Cultures
MS. WILUS
NAME _____________________________
PERIOD
RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL
PRINT
1) The final draft of the research paper is due on: M,T,W,TH, FR , _____ - _____
MONTH
DATE
2) Specific topic: ______________________________________________________________
3) Research question: ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4) THESIS STATEMENT - (What will your paper prove?):
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5) Analytical Questions (What major questions will your research attempt to answer?):
Demonstrate your understanding of the key issues, events etc.
A) ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B)_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
C)_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
D)_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
6) Any problems encountered at this stage of the paper? ________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
AMERICAN CULTURES
MS. WILUS
RESEARCH: WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
NAME_______________________
PERIOD_____
BOOKS (General):
1)
Author (s):__________________________________________________________________
Title of the book:_____________________________________________________________
Title of the article in the book (if applicable): ______________________________________
Publisher:______________________________________________
Place of publication:______________________________________
Copyright: _________
Description of information:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2)
Author (s):__________________________________________________________________
Title of the book:_____________________________________________________________
Title of the article in the book (if applicable): ______________________________________
Publisher:______________________________________________
Place of publication:______________________________________
Copyright: _________
Description of information:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3)
Author (s):__________________________________________________________________
Title of the book:_____________________________________________________________
Title of the article in the book (if applicable): ______________________________________
Publisher:______________________________________________
Place of publication:______________________________________
Copyright: _________
Description of information:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4)
Author (s):__________________________________________________________________
Title of the book:_____________________________________________________________
Title of the article in the book (if applicable): ______________________________________
Publisher:______________________________________________
Place of publication:______________________________________
Copyright: _________
Description of information:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5)
REFERENCE / SPECIALIZED ENCYCLOPEDIA:
Title / Topic:_______________________________________________
Author (s) - If applicable:_____________________________________
Name of the encyclopedia:_____________________________________
Vol: ______
Place of Publication: ________________________________________
Publisher:_________________________________________________
Copyright:_____
Description of information:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
PERIODICAL:
6)
Author (s):__________________________________________________________________
Title of article:_______________________________________________________________
Name of the periodical:________________________________________________________
Date:__________
Page (s):__________
Publisher:_____________________________________________
Description of information:______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7)
ON-LINE SOURCES:
File Name - Title / Topic:_______________________________________________________
The electronic source:__________________________________________________________
Place of publication:_____________________________________
Publisher:_____________________________________________
Copyright:_______
8)
File Name - Title / Topic:_______________________________________________________
The electronic source:__________________________________________________________
Place of publication:_____________________________________
Publisher:_____________________________________________
Copyright:_______
9)
File Name - Title / Topic:_______________________________________________________
The electronic source:__________________________________________________________
Place of publication:_____________________________________
Publisher:_____________________________________________
Copyright:_______
OTHER SOURCES:
10)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________